The drummer also shared details of his past dependence on opioids, which stemmed from his intense fear of flying. What started as a single pill to calm his anxiety before flights quickly grew into regular use of OxyContin-type medications, reaching levels so severe that friends and his ex-wife Shanna Moakler reported he was consuming dozens of pills each day.
Barker pointed to a devastating 2008 plane crash as the pivotal moment in his recovery journey. The accident left him seriously injured, claimed the lives of three friends, and led to an 11-week hospital stay filled with multiple surgeries. With a high tolerance already built up, he decided to clear out his medicine cabinet and commit to a difficult path of healing.